Diplomacy and Politics

International Community Welcomes Ethiopia's New Peace Initiative

The United Nations Security Council said that it was encouraged by Ethiopia’s announcement that it has peace plan and by Eritrea’s continued acceptance of an independent Boundary Commission’s decision on the frontier as binding.

According to UN News Service, the Council President for December and Ambassador of Algeria, Abdallah Baali, said in a statement to the news media that “members of the Security Council are encouraged by this movement towards a peaceful solution of the border dispute and now look forward to the beginning of the border demarcation process.”

The EU High Representative Javier Solana also welcomed Ethiopia’s acceptance in principle of the ruling of the Boundary Commission on the border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia. 

The Delegation of the European Commission to Ethiopia, in its statement reconfirms the commitment given prior to the ruling of the Boundary Commission by both sides to accept the ruling as final and binding.  

Meanwhile, Foreign and Commonwealth Office news release issued by the British Government said that the UK endorses fully the EU Statement. 

In a related development, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder praised Ethiopia for taking an “important step” towards setting its border dispute with neighboring Eritrea. 

Similarly, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) Alpha Oumar Konare welcomed the announcement of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi the acceptance in principle of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC) decision. According to AU press release, Ethiopia’s peace proposal constclutes an encouraging development in the efforts to promote lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as in the region of the Horn of Africa as a whole.

Similarly, China has welcomed the recent peace initiative of the government of Ethiopia on resolving the border dispute with Eritrea. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that China has always paid much attention to the peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea and supported the two countries in holding consultation and dialogue on the basis of the Algiers Agreements.November 30,2004 (WIC)

House Endorses New Peace Initiative

The House of the Peoples’ Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has adopted the five-point peace proposal submitted to it by Prime Minster Meles Zenawi.

The House, following a lengthy discussion on the issue, said that the desire for sustainable peace of the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea could only be achieved when the present no war no peace situation is replaced with a lasting and durable peace between the two countries.

The resolution of all disputes between neighboring countries by peaceful means only and through negotiation is the only guarantee for lasing peace and for promoting mutual interests, it said.

Reiterating Ethiopia’s conviction, which would remain unchanged that the decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission was flawed, the House said than nothing is more important than the achievement of lasting peace between the two countries.

The House noted that the establishment of a lasting peace between the two countries would make significant contribution for making the Horn of Africa a peaceful region.

While presenting the report on the new Ethio-Eritrean peace proposal earlier to the House, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said it is only through peaceful means that the resolution could be carried out on the dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The two parties, he said, should resolve the root causes of the conflict through dialogue with a view to normalizing relations between the two countries. Although Ethiopia accepts, in principle, the decision of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission, the Premier said, it had great limitations in so far as it did not enable the forces of peace to support our agenda for peace with all their energy.

Meles proposed to the House that the government of Ethiopia pay its dues to the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission and appoint field liaison officers. He reiterated on the occasionthe resumption of dialogue with the possible shortest period of time with the view to implementing the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission’s decision in a manner consistent with the promotion of sustainable peace and brotherly ties between the two peoples. November 25, 2004 (WIC)

Ethiopia, Germany Agree to Consolidate Ties

The leaders of Ethiopia and Germany disclosed their readiness to consolidate the century old relations and promote the bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of their respective peoples.Prime Minister Meles and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said thatrelations between the two countries were on a firm ground.
Briefing reporters after an audience with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the German Chancellor said Ethiopia has been playing a leading role for the prevalence of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa with especial emphasis on Somalia and the Sudan.
Schroeder said his country has decided to provide training to Ethiopian construction professionals, adding that the training program would also begin as soon as possible. He said the visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Germany could further consolidate the relation and give an impetus to the bilateral cooperation of the two countries.November12,2004(ENA)

China to Consolidate Bilateral Cooperation

Chinese President Hu Jintao says his country desires to consolidate its bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia. During talks held in Beijing with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on November 3rd, 2004, the two sides have agreed to work in cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples.

Ethiopia and China agreed to work in cooperation in the economic, technical and education sectors. The Chinese President also lauded the leading role of Prime Minister Meles in widening the sphere of cooperation of the two countries and strengthening the long standing relations that survived the test of time.

The Chinese President said Ethiopia could play a pivotal role in enabling China to consolidate its cooperation with other African countries.

Prime Minister Meles said the cooperation of the two counties has entered in to a new chapter during the last few years, adding that it was the interest of Africa to consolidate its cooperation with the emerging economic and power house of Asia.

The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Meles signed a cooperation agreement on November 2nd with the Chinese Officials on economic, education and technical sectors, among others. November 4,2004 (ENA)

NEB Certifies 69 Political Parties for Election 

The National Electoral Board (NEB) of Ethiopia said it has issued eligibility certificates on 69 political parties, which are expected to take part in the upcoming national election. 

NEB has already given the legitimacy certificates to 69 political parties which are expected to compete in the third national election scheduled in May 2005, Acting Registrar of political parties with the Board, Mekonnen Wodaje confirmed. 

He said 13 of the political parties are operating at a national level while the remaining have state realm of influence. According to the official one of the parties is established by Ethiopians in the Diaspora. 

Some 547 members of the peoples’ representatives are expected to be elected at 547 constituencies, he said, adding all constituencies and polling stations which were used during the previous two national elections would be functional in the third national election. November 03, 2004 (ENA)

Meles Confident of Somali Transitional Gov’t

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that he is confident that the new Somali Transitional Government will ensure peace and security in the country and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s continued support to Somalia.

At a joint press conference he gave with the newly elected president of the Transitional Government Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed on October 25th 2004, Meles said that the new parliament of Somalia which represents all the influential groups and clans of the country is believed to bring about and establish lasting peace and security in the country.

Asked about Ethiopia’s role, in maintaining peace and security in Somalia, Meles reaffirmed his country’s commitment to that end and said if it is the interest of Somalia and the African Union (AU), Ethiopia will deploy peacekeeping troops. October 26, 2004 (EH)

Blair: Commission for Africa is about Concrete Action

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the purpose of the Commission for Africa was not to deal within a comprehensive manner the fundamental problems besetting the continent and take concrete actions in partnership with Africans to address the Problems.

Prime Minister Blair said Africa’s problems related to debt, aid, trade, governance and conflict resolution need to be dealt with through the active involvement of Africans themselves and should be acted upon in a joint venture.

Blair said that the commission would not duplicate existing initiatives like NEPAD, which, he said, also promotes partnership.The commission for Africa should support the NEPAD process by making sure that the developed world fulfils its commitments, he added. Prime Minister Meles on his part said that the establishment of the commission would help the NEPAD process move forward. Prime Minister Blair reaffirmed his commitment to put Africa high on the agenda by next year when his country takes over the presidencies of both the European Union and the G8. “ We have high hopes, and I believe that these hopes can be fulfilled,” he added. October 07,2004 (EH)

Ethiopian Peacekeeping Contingent Returns Home

The 87th Ethiopian Peacekeeping Brigade to Liberia returned home on September 8 / 2004 upon completion of the duty entrusted to it by the United Nations.

A replacement Ethiopian Contingent leaves Addis Ababa same day to Liberia to take up its peacekeeping mission under the auspices of the UN.
The Ethiopian peacekeeping contingent that returned home had successfully discharged its duty in Liberia over the past eight months as commanded by Brigadier General Kemal Gemechu.
The Ministry of Defense has said the peacekeeping mission that comprises 1,800 members discharged it duties so effectively and efficiently that brings pride for the nation, Africa and the world at large.
The Ethiopian contingent has made war displaced Liberians to return to normal lives by reaching out to dislocated populations from areas where infrastructure access is non-existent or difficult, it said.
Chief of Staff Lt. General Samora on the welcoming ceremony described the mission discharged by the Ethiopian contingent to Liberia as a source of pride to the peoples of Ethiopia and the army.
He expressed hope that the replacement contingent to Liberia will do the same or even better.

Similarly, the Ethiopian peacekeeping contingent which stayed in Burundi for a year for a mission accorded warm welcome upon arrival at BoleInternationalAirport. Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Minister of Defense Aba Dula Gemeda said that the mission of Ethiopian Peacekeeping Force in Burundi both led by African Union and UN was successful. September 9, 2004 (ENA)